1 Pound - Elizabeth II British Trade dollar

Reverse

Featuring original British Trade Dollar coin. Design based on the early 1900s Silver Trade Dollars. The center of the coin features a standing helmeted Britannia looking to the left with her right hand grasping a trident and her left hand resting on an oval shield, bearing the united cross. The perimeter of the coin has a traditional Chinese scroll-pattern reminiscent of the original Silver Trade Dollars of 1895-1935 (KM# T5). A merchant ship under full sail can be seen in the background.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
THE EAST INDIA COMPANY
*TRADE DOLLAR*

Edge

Reeded

Comment

The first coin of the East India Company’s "The Trade Dollar Collection"

The original Silver British Trade Dollar was issued at a time when trade in the East needed a medium of payment. The East India Company was linked to the British empire.

It became necessary to produce a special dollar for trading in the British Colony when the price of Silver rose rapidly in value between 1875 and 1895. The Silver price disturbed trading and resulted in a very serious shortage of minted dollars. To overcome the threat of a currency famine, The Royal Prerogative of the English sovereign gave approval in 1894 for the minting of a special British Dollar for general use in Far Eastern Trade.

These coins were given an Eastern look to help ensure acceptance by countries outside of British dominion. They also did not indicate a country of origin on the coin which helped allow them to circulate throughout China where they were readily accepted as a medium of exchange. To indicate that the coin was genuine, Chinese merchants would occasionally stamp the coins with a "chopmark" or "counterstamp" to indicate that the coin was genuine or perhaps to advertise their businesses. Chopmarks do not adversely affect the value of these coins in the secondary marketplace.

Interesting fact

Price

Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC
2018	2500	-	-	-	-	-	-

Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 1 Pound - Elizabeth II (British Trade dollar) 2018 coin.